Method of and apparatus for manipulating articles, such as talking machine or phonograph records



1936- w. D. LA RUE zfimfii METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATINGARTICLES,

SUCH As TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECQRDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 sSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 0% $4 001., BY 4m m A ATTORNEY.

1-:-- 26, 1936. w 11 LA RUE 2,041,713

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE 0R PHONOGRAPH RECORDS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJan. 15, 1929 BY M 44 ATTORNEY.

w. D. LA RUE 2,041,718 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATINGARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8Sheets-Sheet 3 A ATTORNEY.

y 1936. w. D. LA RUE METHOD OF AND AFPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES,SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8Sheets-Sheet 4 m mm A TTORNEY.

May 26, 1936. w. D. LA RUE 2,041,718.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING' ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8Sheets-Sheet 5 INV ENTOR. w-za;m%,e.

$71 .6, BY ,gm s9.

- A; ATTORNEY.

May 26, 1936. w. D. LA RUE 2,041,718 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORMANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15. 1929 8Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. mm QiA/QL,

16; ATTORNEY.

May 26, 1936. w. D. LA RUE 2,041,718 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORMANIPULATING ARTICLES,

SUCH AS TALKING MACHINE OR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS Filed Jan. 15, 1929 8Sheets-Sheet 7 I INVENTOR.

I BY .%;MM $9. M

2 ATTORNEY.

May 26, 1936. w. D. LA RUE 2,041,118

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ARTICLES, I I SUCH AS TALKINGMACHINE QR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS 27 HHIH @lllll gmlllfi 232 02? IN VEN TOR.

flag ATTORNEY.

' in a region removed Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT IOFFICE William D. La Rue, Maple Shade, N. 1., assignor, by mesneassignments, to Radio Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application January 15, 1929, Serial No. 332,689

25 Claims. (Cl. 274-10) My invention relates to apparatus formanipulating talking machine or phonograph records, such as centrallyperforated disk records of a type well known to the art; my inventionalso embraces the manipulation of disks other than talking machine orphonograph records, said last named disks being utilizable for anydesired purpose, control or otherwise.

In accordance with my invention, records, as aforesaid, are transportedalong a path and thereafter each record is moved transversely of saidpath and into a position for coaction with a sound reproducinginstrumentality, such as the needle or stylus of a sound box, pick-updevice, or equivalent, said records being transported in successionalong said path from a stack of records contacting and supported onewith and by another, from a record supporting structure, or otherwise asmay be suitable or desirable.

Further in accordance with my invention, the respective records definingone end of a group of superposed records or those defining,respectively, one end of a stack of records are transported insuccession along a path, said records thereafter be'ng moved insuccenion transversely of said path to a sound reproducing position and,after each period of sound reproduction, being removed in successionfrom said position.

Further in accordance with my invention, records, as aforesaid, aretransported in succession along a path leading from a group of recordsdisposed in side-by-side relation, said records thereafter being movedin succession transversely of said path to a sound reproducing positionand, after each period of sound reproduction, deposited from the groupof side-byside records.

Further in accordance with my invention,records as aforesaid, aretransported in succession along the same straight-line path, ordinarily,a horizontal path, and are thereafter moved transversely of said pathand, more particularly, at right angles with respect thereto tosuccessively carry each record to-a sound reproducing position.

Further in accordance with my invention, a plurality of records, asaforesaid, are disposed in stacked formation and are removed one by one,individual records being transported by a vertically movable turntableinto a sound reproducing position where coaction is effected with theneedle or stylus of a sound reproducing instrumentality.

Further in accordance with my invention, under .the influence of energyderived from the rotary motion of a record, as aforesaid, as imposed bya reciprocatory turntable, a motion of translation is imparted to saidrecord to remove it from the path of the turntable.

Further in accordance with my invention, a

' record, as aforesaid, during descending or rising movement with aturntable comes into eng ment with structures or parts designed totransform the rotary motion of the record into a motion of translation.

Further in accordance with my invention, records, as aforesaid, aretransported in succession into coacting relation with a soundreproducing instrumentality by a reciprocatory turntable, the turntable,or the record thereon, being disposed in any desired plane, for example,one that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

Further in accordance with my invention, the automatic operationsdescribed above are performed in proper sequence and it ischaracteristic of my invention, particularly in the organizationdescribed, that lateral movement of the sound box, or equivalent, aftereach period of sound reproduction is obtained without first elevatingthe sound box.

Further in accordance with my invention, lateral movement, as aforesaid,of the sound box is effected in such manner that a given point there onmoves only in a single plane, either a hori-'- zontal plane or one thatis inclined to a horizontal plane; more particularly, .when theturntable is one that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,lateral movement, as aforesaid, of thesound box so occurs that a givenpoint thereon moves onlyin a single planeinclined with respect to ahorizontal plane. My invention resides particularly in an auto maticsystem or arrangement for removing individual records, as, aforesaid,from a stack thereof, transporting them in succession'into the path of avertically movable turntable, elevating individual records into coactionwith a sound reproducing instrumentality, and, after the respectiveperiods of sound reproduction, lowering the turntable and removing therespective records from its path.

My invention resides in the apparatus, system, arrangement and featuresof construction of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, partly broken away and partly inplan, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of a supporting plate or member andthe mechanism associated therewith.

Figs. Sand 6 are perspective views of automatic control mechanism.

Fig. '1, in part, is a vertical sectional view of part of the mechanismshown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of theturntable supporting and control mechanism. I

Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the bottom of arecord-receiving receptacle.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the receptacle illustrated inFig. 9.

Fig.11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, ofthe record-receiving receptacle and the record-translating memberassociated therewith.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of a record-removing andtranslating member.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation and with partsomitted, of tone arm supporting structure.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is takenon the line I4--I4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of stop mechanism for limiting oscillatorymotion of a sound box, or equivalent.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a casing'or housingcomprising, in the example shown, front and rear walls I, I and sidewalls 2, 2, all of said walls being vertically disposed on a suitablebase, not shown. Extending horizontally Within the aforesaid casing is ashelf or ledge 3 forming a support for a record magazine P in which, asillustrated in Fig. 11, is supported a group or stack of phonograph ortalking machine disk records R. The shelf 3 also supports a movable orpivoted record-translating member T and a swinging or oscillatable tonearm A. Disposed adjacent the tone arm A is a turntable B, which may beinclined with respect to a horizontal plane, as hereinafter described,and to which individual records R are transported and from which theyare individually discharged, also as hereinafter described, into acompartment or raw ceptacle C, Fig. 2, the bottom of which is defined bya sloping wall- 4 extending transversely of the aforesaid casing.

Extending longitudinally of and within the aforesaid casing is a driveshaft 5 receiving power from any suitable source which, in the exampleillustrated, is an electric motor 6, Fig. 8. Keyed to the shaft 5 is agear 1 meshing with and driving a gear 8, Fig. 3, freely rotatable on ashaft 9.

Shaft 3 is joumaled in a plate or member I0, Fig. 3, extendingtransversely, of the aforesaid casing and secured, in the example shown,to projections II extending from the front and rear casing walls I, I byscrews I2, or the like, Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 5, a clutch wheel or spider I3 is shown as having ahub I3a which is secured to the aforesaid gear 8 and, therefore, rotateswith the latter. Coacting with the clutch spider I3 is a clutch crescentI4 pivoted to a disk I6 and having a tooth Ma. The tooth I Ia of clutchcrescent I4 is suitably biased toward the clutch spider I3 as, forexample, by a helical spring I5 connected to said clutch crescent and tothe disk I6, Figs. 2 and 5. The disk Iii-is fixed or keyed to the shaft9 and, therefore, when the tooth I-Ia moves into the space betweenadjacent teeth of the clutch spider I3, said disk I5 and itstheretoconnected shaft 9 are caused to rotate under the 4 influence ofthe drive shaft 5 and the meshed gears 1 and 8. 5

Secured to the shaft 9 and rotatable therewith is a gear l1, Fig. 3,meshing with and driving a gear I8 rotatable on -a shaft I9 upstandingfrom the plate III. The gear I 8 comprises a hub portion I8a receiving acam 20 for rotation therewith, 10

Referring Fig. 4,.the plate I0 is shown as 15 having a bracket 22secured thereto by screws 23, or the like. Pivoted to the bracket 22 isa lever 24 biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 4, by a helicalspring 25, or the like. Lever 24 comprises a shoulder 24a. adapted to beengaged periodically by a lug or member 26 projecting from the disk I6.

Referring to Fig. 1, the tone arm A is shown as comprising a conduit 21to which, through a connection 28, is secured a second conduit 29 car-25 rying, at its end removed from the connection 28,

a sound box S of any suitable type and having a stylus or needle forcoaction with the spiral sound reproducing groove on each of the recordsR. As is well understood in the art, the connec- 30 tion 28 permitsoscillatory movement of the conduit 29 with respect to the conduit 21.

In accordance with my invention, a given point on the end of the conduit21, adjacent the connection 28,.is restricted to oscillatory movement 35only in a single plane and, in accordance with the specific form of myinvention more particularly hereinafter described, said single plane isslightly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. To the end lastnoted, the shelf 3, on its upper surface, carries a mounting plate 3|,in turn, supporting a second plate or member 32, said plates 3| and 32and said shelf 3 having aligned openings into and through which extendsthe end of the conduit 21 removed from the con- 40 nection 28. Below thelower surface of shelf 3, the end of conduit 21 is received by a bearingmember, not shown, having an opening for the passage of sound waves andwith and by which a suitable amplifying horn, not shown, may be 00associated with said last named end of conduit 21. The member 32comprises an upstanding part or section 32a, Figs. 1 and 2, partlysurrounding the vertical portion of conduit 21 and having at its end avertically extending pin 33 received in a bearing, not shown, on conduit21. By virtue of this arrangement, a given point at the end of conduit21 adjacent the connection 28, moves only in substantially a singleplane and, to the end that said single plane may be inclined with 60respect to a horizontal plane, the members 3| and 32 are mounted on theshelf 3, not horizontally, but slightly inclined with respect to ahorizontal plane, all as hereinafter more fully described. C3 It followsfrom the foregoing that the conduit 21 is mounted for oscillatorymovement and that the end thereof adjacent the connection 28, is vbiased under the influence of gravity to swing in a counter-clockwisedirection, Fig. 1, or from the center of turntable B. Movement as lastdescribed of the conduit 21 under the influence of gravity may belimited in any suitable manner, such, for example, as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2 wherein there is shown a screw 34 coacting 75 with saidconduit 21 and adjustably mounted in a post or standard 35 upstandingfrom the aforesaid plate 3|.

Carried by and movable with the conduit 21 is an arm or member 36extending to a region below the shelf 3 and there comprising asubstantially horizontal section 36a terminating in a flanged section3617 to which is pivoted a pawl 31 biased in a clockwise direction, Fig.5, under the influence of gravity into engagement with 9. lug

' or projection 36c comprised in said horizontal ing, in theexample-shown, both above and below the plate l9 and carried thereby.Lever 39 is spaced above the plate l9 by a washer or sleeve 4|,'Fig. 2;said lever 39 comprises, at its end removed from rack 39, a cam follower39a coacting with the aforesaid cam 29, Fig. 6.

Below the plate I9, a lever 42 is disposed-on the shaft 49, said lever42 comprising a hookshaped end 42a for coaction with the aforesaidclutch crescent l4. Lever 42 is spaced below the plate |9 by a sleeve orwasher 43, Fig. 2.

The levers 39 and 42 are tied or coupled together so as to be incapableof movement independently of each other and, accordingly, on each sideof the plate l9, said levers 39 and 42 may be so secured to therespective ends of a sleeve 44, Figs. 5 and 6, that said sleeve 44 andthe levers 39 and 42 move together as a unit. The aforesaid spacingwashers 4| and 43 are disposed around the sleeve 44 through whichextends the shaft 49, the head of said shaft 49 engaging the lowersurface of lever 42 and the other end of said shaft 49 being suitablysecured, as by a peening operation, to the lever 39 and sleeve 44.Accordingly, levers 39 and 42, sleeve 44 and shaft 49 move togefher as aunit, said lever system being suitably biased in a counter-clockwisedirection, Fig. 3, as by a' helical spring 45 secured at one end to theplate I9 and at its other end to a lug 39b extending from the lever 39.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, the drive shaft 5 is shown as extendingthrough an opening in the plate loaand having a. longitudinallyextendingchannel 511 for-the reception of a key comprised in the stem of theturntable B, as hereinafter more fully described. Encircling the shaft 5and non-rotatably secured to the plate I9 is a bushing or sleeve 46,Fig. 8, on which a barrel cam 41 is disposed for free rotatablemovement. The

cam 41, on opposite sides thereof, comprises similar cam surfaces 41a ofwhich one is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.- A gear 48, preferablyformed integrally with cam 41, meshes with and is periodically driven bythe gear l9, Fig. 3.

Coacting, respectively, with the cam surfaces 41a are cam followers orrollers 49, each carried by an arm 59, in turn carried by a sleeve 5|slidable within the aforesaid bushing 46. As illustrated in Fig. 2, thearms 59 and another arm 52 preferably are formed integrally with eachother, said arm 52 terminating in a fork-shaped end or clevi. embracingand being slidable along a standard, rod or member 53 upstanding fromthe member ID, whereby the cam followers 49 are retained from rotativemovement. the arms 59, 59 and 52 may be secured in any suitable mannertothe sleeve 5| for movement therewith longitudinally of the shaft 5. Inthe example shown, the various arms aforesaid terminate in a section 54,Fig. 8, having a perforation in which is received a shouldered portionof the sleeve 5|,

The structure comprising a washer being peened to one end of the sleeve5| and to the section 54, said washer 55 uniting the sleeve 5| and arms59, 59 and 52 so that they may move axially of the shaft 5, rotativemovement thereof with respect to said shaft 5 being prevented by thecontrol exercised by the member 53 upon the arm 52.

The washer 55 constitutes a shoulder or bearing surface for theturntable B which, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8, comprises an outerlayer or member 56 of felt, or the like, carried by a circular member 51preferably of metallic sheet material, the latter being riveted orotherwise suitably secured to a turntable stem 58 from which arecord-centering pin 59 extends centrally through the members 51 and 56,and beyond the latter. The stem 58 comprises a flanged section orshoulder 69 and a sleeve-like extension 6| having a passage extendingaxially thereof and of a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter ofthe shaft 5, a pin 62 extending transversely of said passage forreception in the channel 5a of shaft 5, whereby rotatable movement isimparted to the turntable B even though the latter is movablevertically.

Ordinarily, a washer 63 engages the shoulder 69 while a similar washer64, Fig. 8, engages the washer 55, a washer being interposed between thewashers 63 and 64 and comprising anti-friction members 66.

posed in assembled relation, sleeve 5| .slidably ,flts within thebushing 46, the position of said sleeve 5| axially of the shaft 5depending upon the regions wherein the cam followers 49 engage therespective cam surfaces 41g, When thus assembled, the shoulder 69 of thestem 58 is spaced from the washer 55 only by the washers 63, 65 and 64,the sleeve-like extension6| being disposed within the sleeve 5| andbeing freely slidable along the shaft 5, pin 62 falling within thechannel 51:.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 19, the record magazine P isillustrated as comprising a receptacle or well 61 circular inconfiguration and disposed .in an opening of corresponding shape in theshelf 3, a flanged portion 61a of receptacle 61 engaging the top of saidshelf 3 and being secured thereto by screws 68, or the like, Fig. 1.Disposed within the receptacle 61 is a plate-like record-supportingmember 69 preferably provided with a felt surface 19 for engagement withthe lowermost record of the stack of records. By preierence, the member69 is formed of sheet-like metallic material and, to decrease the weightthereof, it is desirable that a number of springs 12. secured thereto bybolts 13, or equivalent. The springs 12 should be symmetrically arrangedon said bottom wall from which they project into contact with thatsurface of the member 69 opposite the felt surface 19. Fcr restrainingor limiting movement of the member 69 from the bottom wall ofreceptacle61, there may be utilized a plurality of rods or members 14, each havingone end fixed to the member 69 and each freely passing through anopening in the bottom wall of receptacle 61, exteriorly of which, eachof said members 14 is provided with a stop member I5, whereby member 69is prevented from moving an excessive distance or from being disengagedfrom the bottom wall of the receptacle 61 In accordance with myinvention, for all stack heights, the topmost record R of the stack ofrecords should be disposed entirely above the upper surface of theflange 61a, Fig. 11. To this end, there may be utilized an arrangementsuch as illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein there is disclosed a bracket I6suitably secured to the flange 61a or shelf 3 and having aprojection 16aextending above the stack of records. Cooperating with the bracket 16 toproperly position the'topmost rec- 'ord R is a. member 11 pivoted at I8on a memshown, member is an abutment rising above the upper surface offlange 61a a distance substantially the same as the thickness of arecord R while the member 19 comprises a resilient portion 19a spacedfrom the flange 61a. When the member I! is moved to record-restrainingposition, as illustrated by the full lines in Fig. 1, the end thereof ispassed beneath the resilient portion 19a of member 19, the resilientportion 19a holding theend of member IT in engagement with member 89 andmaintaining said member IT in the desired position. It shall beunderstood that the projections 16a, 11a and 11a are spaced above theflange 61a a distance corresponding substantially with the thickness ofa record R. whereby the topmost record R of the stack of records is,before removal from said stack, maintained substantially in the positionillustrated in Fig. 11. If desired, pivotal movement of the member Ilmay be limited by a projection 'I'Ic extending therefrom and into anopening of suitable size in the flange 61a, Flgsl, 9 and 10.

Referring to' Figs. 2 and 3, the crank arm 2I is shown as having pivotedthereto a link 8| connected to another link 82 by an adjustable pin andslot connection 83. The link 82 is pivoted to a crank arm 84rotatablewith a stud shaft 85 journaled in the shelf 3 through whichsaid shaft extends and at its end above said shelf 3, Figs.

1 and 2, has the aforesaid record-translating member or arm T securedthereto for movement therewith.

The free end ofann T has a member 86 projecting therefrom and preferablyso secured thereto that it may be adjusted longitudinally thereof.Rising from each side of the member 86 at one end thereof are ears 86athrough which extends a pin 81 on which a record-engaging member 88 ispivoted. The member 88 comprises a curved end portion 88a, between whichand a toe portion 88, the edge of a record R is received, said toeportion comprising a threaded stem Ella-passing through the member 88and coacting with a. nut 90 to maintain said toe portion 89 in theposition illustrated. by the full lines in Fig. 12, a washer 9| spacingthe toe portion 89 the proper distance from the curved por-' tion 88aand also forming a shoulder to be engaged by the. edge of a record R.With a construction of this character, records may be removedeiliciently from the receptacle P even though they are warped.

Referring to Fig. 1, a. record R under control of the member T is movedfrom right to left along a path defined by track members or strips 92secured in fixed position in any desired manner as, for example, byscrews 33 passing through portions of said members ,92 and threaded intothe shelf 3 and a cabinet wall I.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the sloping wall 4 merges into a horizontalwall la in the region of the cabinet below the turntable B, said wall411 comprising an opening through which the memher 5| and its arms 50,58 and 52 are freely movable. Carried by and fixed to the wall la at oneside of the turntable B is a supporting member 94 having spaced ears inwhich is revolvably mounted a cylindrical or spherical member 95. At theother side of the turntable B, the wall do has secured thereto anupstanding member 96 terminating, preferably, in a'semi-sphericalsection a of .hard rubber, or the like. Located substantially in thepath taken by the center line of a. record R as it moves from right toleft,

Figs. 1 and 2, and in a region occupied by its advanced edge whenmovement thereof under the control of the .arm T ceases is a bracket 91having a sloping face 91a preferably felt-covered.

Under some circumstances, for example, when the motor M is electricallyoperated, the wall as may have mounted thereon a switch 98 and a speedcontrol device 99, the latter usually comprising a threaded membercontrolling a friction device associated with the motor governor.

The roller 95, section 95a and the horizontal surface of bracket 91 areall positioned substantially the same distances above the wall 4a andare disposed Without the periphery of the turntable T.

Upon completionof a. period of sound reproduction, the record isdischarged from the tumtable B, as hereinafter described, and passesabove the walls 4a and 4 and below the shelf 3 into the compartment C,Fig. 2. To facilitate passage of the record in this manner, it isdesirable that anti-friction mechanism be disposed in its path such, forexample, as the roller I00 supported by the bracket IU'I carried by thewall 4. Records may be removed from the compartment C in any suitablemanner, as by passage through an opening in one. of the cabinet walls.

As hereinbefore stated, in one form of my invention, the tone arm A isso biased, preferably under the influence of gravity, that the sound boxS tends to swing from a position above and adjacent the center of theturntable B to a position adjacent the periphery thereof. To this end,there may be utilized a construction such as illustrated in Fig. 13wherein the shelf 3 is shown as provided with a recess I02 for thereception of the member 3 I ,the lower wall or surface I02a of recessI02 sloping downwardly from left to right, Figs. 2 and 13. Totheaforesaidsurface I02a, the member 3| is retained by bolts I03, or thelike,

v passing therethrough and through the shelf 3.

fied above, i. e. in a direction such that the sound box S tends to movefrom a position above and adjacent the center of the turntable B andtoward the stack of records contained in the receptacle P.

As also hereinbefore stated, the turntable B is inclined with respect toa horizontal plane highest in that region thereof most closely ad--jacent the receptacle P and lowest in that region which is mostremovedfrom said receptacle P; that is, the turntable B slopes in a directionfrom right to left, Fig. 2.

As-one convenient arrangement for thus tilting or inclining theturntable B, there may be utilized a construction such as illustrated inFig. 14 wherein the plate I0 is shown as inclined with respect to ahorizontal plane. For thus inclining the plate I0, the sleeves I04 andI05 are utilized, said sleeves having the respective bolts I2 passingtherethrough and the sleeve I04 be ing of less height than that of thesleeve I05. In this manner, the plate I0 and the therebycarriedmechanism may be tilted or inclined to any extent that may be suitableor desirable. As shown, the shaft 5 carried by plate I0 is thus tiltedso that it is displaced from a vertical plane by an angle ofapproximately 3 degrees. Accordingly, the turntable B is displaced froma horizontal plane by substantially the same amount.

To the end that oscillatory movement of the sound box S and conduit 29may be limited with respect to the conduit 21, there may be utilized aconstruction such as illustrated in Fig. 15 wherein the conduit 21 isshown as having secured thereto a bracket or member I06 carry ing anadjustable screw I01, or the like, which coacts with a member I08projecting from the conduit 29. The parts are so arranged that with theturntable B in fully elevated position, with a record R thereon, and thestylus of sound box S coacting with thespiral sound reproducing grooveon said record, the coacting members I01 and I08 are not in engagement.However, when the turntable B and the thereby-carried record descend toany substantial extent, the member I08 moves into engagement with themember I01 and prevents further descending movement of the sound box S.In this manner, the recordon the turntable B is freed from the sound boxstylus.

Referring to Fig. 1, a lever I00 is shown as pivoted at IIO to a memberupstanding from the shelf 3, one end of said lever I09 extending througha slot in the front casing wall I and the other end of said levercomprising a fork-shaped portion for coaction with a pin III upstandingfrom a second lever H2 pivoted at 3 to another member upstanding fromthe shelf 3.

. When the lever I09 is swung clockwise, Fig. 1,

to the position indicated by the broken lines, the lever H2 is alsoswung to its broken line posi tion. If, during a period of soundreproduction, the lever I03 is actuated as just described, the end oflever H2 is placed in the path ofthat record then on the turntable Band, as hereinafter more particularly described. sound is repeated oragain reproduced from the same record from which sound has just beenreproduced.

The operation is as follows:

With a record R on the turntable B, sound to pawl .31.

stop member I00 gradually approaching the stop member I0'I.

While the sound box S is moving from right 10 to left as describedabove, the tone arm A and the member 36 depending therefrom partake ofsimilar movement, the edged surface 31a of pawl 31 moving from right toleft, Fig. 5, and freely sliding over the teeth of rack, while 20 thepawl 31 is moving in the direction last described. At this time, thelever 42 is holding the clutch crescent I4 in the position shown in Fig.5; accordingly, the disk A6 and shaft. 0 remain stationary.

When the direction of movement of the sound box S is reversed asdescribed above, the direction of movement of pawl 31 is similarlyreversed and, since the teeth of rack 38 exercise a clutching effect onpawl 31 when the latter moves as 30 last described, rack 38 is coupledor connected, As a result, levers 39 and 42 are. swung in'a clockwisedirection, Figs. 5 and 6, the hook-shaped end 42a of lever 42 beingdisen- I gaged from clutch crescent I4 and the tooth Ma of the latterpassing between adjacent teeth of the clutch spider I3 to therebyconnect the shaft 0 to the constantly rotating gear 0. In this manner,the cycle of operation of the automatic mechanism is initiated.

During a period of sound reproduction and before the cycle of theautomatic mechanism is initiated, the turntable B, with a record Bthereon, rotates in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 since, whentheautomatic m'echanismis out of 45 cycle, the cam 41 remains stationaryin such position that the cam surfaces 410 thereof maintain therespective arms in their fully elevated positions.

Immediately upon initiation of the cycle of 50 the automatic mechanism,rotation of shaft 3 through the meshedgears I1, l8 and 40 producesmovement of the cam :41 about the shaft 5 as an axis. As a result, thealmost vertical portions of the cam surfaces 41a are brought immediatelyinto coacting relation with the respective cam followers 49 and theturntable B abruptly descends, its sleeve-like extension 6| remainingwithin the sleeve 5| while the latter moves downwardly, Fig. 8, andtelescoping the upper end of shaft 5 with the pin 62 passing along thechannel in of shaft 5. While partaking of reclprocatory movement, thesleeve 5| is restrained from rotary movement due to the controlexercised by the standard 53 on arm 52, the clevis at the end 05 of thelatter sliding along said standard 53 during reciprocatory movement ofsleeve 5|.

As the turntable B moves downwardly, rotation thereof and of the recordR thereon continues due to the'fact that the pin 62 coacts withstantially simultaneously engages the roller 95. As a result, saidrecord R pivots around the post 96 and since it is rotating in aclockwise direction, Fig. 1, the rotary motion of said record R istransformed, in part, into a motion of translation, said record R movingfrom left to right, Figs. 1 and 2, and, partly under the influence ofgravity, passing into the compartment C over the roller I90. After theaforesaid record R has been discharged from the turntable B as justdescribed, descending movement of said turntable B continues. Uponreaching its lowermost position the turntable B, almost immediately,starts to gradually rise, as hereinafter described.

' When the turntable B and the record Rv carried thereby start todescend immediately after initiation of the cycle of the automaticmechanism as described above, sound box S moves downwardly a shortdistance until arrested by engagement of the coacting stop members I91and I08 carried,- respectively, by adjacent ends of the conduits 21 and29. When downward movement of sound box S is thus arrested, theturntable B carries the record thereon from coacting relation with thesound box stylus. Due to the fact that the conduit 21 is so mounted thata given point at the end thereof adjacent the connection 28 moves onlyin a single plane inclined with respect to-a horizontal plane, itfollows that said conduit 21, conduit 29 and sound box S swing in a.counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 1, under the influence of gravityuntil the motion of conduit 21 isarrested by the stop member 34. In thismanner, and without the aid of actuating mechanism, in the exampleshown, the sound box S is removed from a position adjacent the center ofthat record from which sound has just been reproduced into a positionvertically above a point adjacent the edge of that record from whichsound is next to be reproduced when the latter is delivered above theturntable B, as hereinafter described. I f

When the cycle-of operation of the automatic mechanism was initiated,rotation of shaft 9, due to the intermeshed gears I1 and I8, producesmovement of shaft I9 and the crank arm 2| moves about the axis of thelatter to cause the record-translating member T to 'move 'flrst in aclockwise direction, Fig. l, and then in a counterclockwise direction,Fig. 1. When first moving from the position illustrated by the fulllines of Fig. 1, the member T causes the curved portion 88a of member 88to move above the edge of the topmost record R of the stack of records,said record edge being received between-said curved portion 88a and thetoe portion 89. Due to the engagement thus effected with said topmostrecord R and during continued movement of member T in a clockwisedirection, Fig. 1, said record Ris guided by the members 92 for movementfrom right to left, Fig. 1, until the perforation at the center thereofis almost directly above the pin 62 at the center of the turntable B. Assaid record R comes into the position last described, the advanced edgethereof engages the sloping face 91a of bracket 91 and opposite sidesthereof engage and are supported, respectively, by roller 95 and the tip98a of the post 96, movement of said record R under the influence ofmember T thus continuing until its rear edge is barely supported by thecurved extremity of shelf 3. After said record has been moved to theposition last described, it remains stationary for a time, therecord-translating member T now retracing its path toward the positionthereof illustrated by the full lines of Fig. 1, which position isreached as the cycle of automatic operation is completed.

Soon after the turntable B reaches its lowermost position as describedabove, it gradually starts to ascend under the influence of cam 41 5and, just after the topmost record of the stack of records has beenpositioned thereabove by the member T, the pin 59 enters the perforationat the center of said record and causes slight re-' newed movementthereof from left to right, Fig. 1,. to center the same on the turntableB, the latter now carrying said record R upwardly from the shelf 3,roller 95 and tip 98a of post 96. Just before the turntable Breaches'its uppermost position, the record R thereon engages the stylusof sound box S, said stylus being so positioned by the stop member. 34that it coincides with a line extending vertically from a point betweenthe'edge of the record and the area defined by the spiral soundreproducing groove after said record has been centered on the turntableB as just described. Elevation of the sound box S under the influence ofthe ascending record R continues until the turntable B reaches itsuppermost position, the stop member I98 moving from the stop member;I01, In the example shown, due to the fact that the turntable isinclined as illustrated and further, due to the rotation of the record,the sound box stylus is fed into the spiral sound reproducing grooveautomatically and without the aid of mechanism provided directly forthis purpose.

When the cycle of operation of the automatic mechanism was initiated,rotation of shaft 9, due to the intermeshed gears I1 and I8, produces 35movement of shaft I9 and cam 20, the latter, as it 7 moves, swinging thelever 39 clockwise, Fig. 6, and

thereby holding the hook-shaped end 42a of lever 42 out of the path ofclutch segment I4. After the cam 20 has moved through an angle of 360 40degrees, the lever 39, under the influence of spring 45, Fig. 3, hasreturned to the position illustrated 'in Fig. 6 and the hook-shaped end42a of. lever pin 26, Fig. 4, comes within the recess defined by theshoulder 24a of lever 24 whereby the various parts are releasably lockedin position during the period that ensues while the automatic mechanismis out of cycle.

If, during a'. period of sound reproduction, it becomes desirable toagain reproduce sound from that record then on the turntable B, thelever I09 is moved to its broken line position, Fig. 1, and the member88 is swung clockwise, Fig. 12, into its non-operative position.Accordingly, when operation of the automatic mechanism is nextinitiated, that record then on the turntable B descends therewith andone edge thereof comes into engagement with the end of lever II2 whileother portions of said record come into engagement with the tip 96a ofpost 96, the horizontal portion of bracket 91 and with the roller 95.Due to the position of. lever H2 and the manner in which it supports therecord, the latter remains stationary in the position last described andis not discharged into the receptacle C such as would be the case werethe lever I I2 in its full line position.

Due to the fact that member 88 has been moved to its non-operativeposition, the topmost record of the stack of records is not moved fromthe receptacle P. Accordingly, when the turntable B next moves to soundreproducing position, it'

carries to that position the same record from which sound has just beenreproduced. If desired, in lieu of the levers I09 and H2, a slidablemember, not shown, may be mounted in a recess on the shelf 3 in thevicinity of and above the roller I00. Normally, said last named memberis disposed entirely within the periphery of said shelf 3 but it may beso moved as to extend therebeyond toward the bracket 91. when thusmoved, said last named member functions, as does the lever H2, toprevent discharge of a record into the receptacle C.

Although the machine or mechanism constructed in accordance with myinvention is intended particularly for records wherein the spiral soundreproducing groove terminates in a circular groove eccentricallydisposed with respect to the record center, it shall be understood thatmy in-.- vention is not to be thus limited. Under some circumstances, itmay be desirable to successively initiate cycles of operation of theautomatic mechanism otherwise than by a control performed by theeccentric grooves on the respective records. Thus, for example, thecontrol may be effected by the Crowell-type of groove which comprisesgenerally a large pitch spiral groove extending from the spiral soundreproducing groove and terminating in a circular groove concentricallydisposed with respect to the record center.

Itshall also be understood that in no manner at all is my inventionto belimited to the utilization of an acoustical or mechanical type of soundbox wherein sound waves originated by the sound box diaphragm aretransmitted through a tone arm or taper tube and thence to an amplifyinghorn. In lieu of a sound box, as aforesaid, any desired type of apick-up may be utilized, such a pick-up, as well understood in the art,generating or modifying an electrical current in response to theactuation of an armature, or equivalent, by the'talking machine orphonograph records, the aforesaid electrical current operating a loudspeaker, or equivalent, disposed either in the same casing containingthe automatic mechanism or in a casing separate therefrom, as desired.

It shall also be understood that my invention is not to be limited tothe removal of records from a stack of records, because under somecircumstances, and in lieu of a stack of records, there may be provideda group of records disposed in superposed or side-by-side relationwherein each record, usually, is not in contacting relation with theimmediate neighboring records.

Still further, it shall be understood that my invention is not to belimited to the successive removal of the respective topmost records ofthe stack of records or of the sinrilarly placed records of thesuperposed or side-by-side records. An important characteristic of myinvention involves the discharge of individual records from a turntableduring descent thereof, the rotary motion applied to each record beingtransformed into a motion of translation. As regards this importantphase of my invention, the particular manner in which individual recordsare successively conveyed into the path of the turntable and the sourceof supply of said records is usually immaterial.

An-important feature or advantage of the hereinbeforedescribed system orarrangement for manipulating talking machine or phonograph recordsresides in the provision of a reciprocatory turntable for successivelyelevating records to and removing them from a sound reproducing posi- 7tion. By virtue of this arrangement, lateral movement of the sound box,or equivalent, and its tone arm, or equivalent, from a position aboveand adjacent the center of the turntable is effected in such manner thata given point thereon moves only in a single plane, and morespecifically, a single plane inclined with respect to a horizontal planeexcluding, of course, the movement of the sound box, or equivalent,early and late in each cycle when it leaves and is engaged by a rec- 0rdsupport on the descending and rising turntable.

Although but asingle motive device has been herein illustrated anddescribed for jointly operating the turntable and the automaticmechanism it shall be understood, if desired, that a plurality of motivedevices may be utilized, one to operate the turntable and another tooperate the automatic mechanism, the eccentric groove or other controlconnecting said automatic mechanism to its motive device at the propertimes to effect the series of automatic operations. 2

WhatI claim is: Y

- 1. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating saidturntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry atalking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound reproducingposition, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said recordunder the infiuence of energy derived from the rotary motion appliedthereto by and during-movement of said turntable along said path.

2. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating saidturntable, means for moving said turntable vertically along a path tocarry a talking machine or phonograph record to a-sound reproducingposition, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said recordunder the infiuence of energy derived from the rotary motion appliedthereto by and during descent of said turntable along said path.

3. The combination with a turntable, of means 4 for rotating saidturntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry atalking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound reproducingposition, and means for imparting a motion of translationto said recordunder the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion appliedthereto by and during movement of said turntable along said path, saidmeans comprising a member disposed exteriorly of the path of saidturntable.

4. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating saidturntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry atalking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound reproducingposition, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said recordunder the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion appliedthereto by and during movement of said turntable along said path, saidmeans comprising afixed member disposed ex- 6 teriorly of the path ofsaid turntable.

5. The combination with a turntable, of means for rotating saidturntable, means for moving said turntable along a path to carry atalking machine or phonograph record relative to its sound 0 reproducingposition, and means for imparting a motion of translation to said recordunder the influence of energy derived from the rotary motion appliedthereto by and during movement of said turntable along said path, saidmeans comprising a record pivot'and a roller disposed exteriorly of thepath of said turntable.

6. In combination, means for moving talking machine or phonographrecords in succession along a path, a turntable, means for elevatingsaid turntable to successively transport said records from said path toa sound reproducing position and for subsequently lowering the same,means for successively reproducing sound from said records while in saidposition, and means effective after the respective periods of soundreproduction for imparting a motion of translation to each record underthe influence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied theretoby said turntable, said last named means comprising a member engaged byeach record during descent thereof from said sound reproducing position.

'1. In combination, a reciprocatory turntable for elevating individualtalking machine or phonograph records to a sound reproducing position,Supporting structure for a plurality of said rec'- ords, means fortransporting records from said supporting structure to a position forengagement by said turntable, and stationary track structure disposedbetween said turntable and said supporting structure for defining thepath of travel of said records in response to said transporting means,said records contacting directly with said track structure duringmovement therealong.

8. In combination, a reciprocatory turntable for elevating individualtalking machine or phonograph records to a sound reproducing position,supporting structure for a plurality of said records, stationary trackstructure disposed between said turntable and said supporting structure,means for supporting a record in the path of said turntable, and meanscomprising an oscillatory arm for, transporting individual records alongsaid track structure and into engagement with said supporting means.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a recordmagazine, a turntable having a playing position in substantially thesame horizontal plane as the top of said magazine, means fortransferring records in succession from said magazine to said turntable,a magazine for played .records positioned substantially directly belowsaid record magazine, means for lowering said turntable from playingposition, and means operable on' lowering said turntable whereby therotary movement of a played record causes a movement of translationthereof to said magazine for played records.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a magazinefor unplayed records, a vertically movable turntable having a playingposition in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of saidmagazine, means for transferring records inv succession from saidmagazine to said turntable, a magazine for played records positionedsubstantially directly below said magazine for unplayed records, meansfor lowering said turntable from playing position, and a fixed member inthe path of movement of a played record on said turntable whereby rotarymovement of said played record causes a movement of translation thereofto said magazine for played records.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a magazinefor unplayed records, a vertically movable turntable having a playingposition in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of saidmagazine, means for transferring records in succession from saidmagazine to said turntable, a magazine for played records positionedsubstantially directly below said magazine for unplayed records, meansfor lowering said turntable from playing position, and means spacedaround said turntable in the path of movement of a played recordthereon, whereby the rotary movement of said played record causes atranslation thereof to said magazine for played records.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a magazinefor unplayed records, a vertically movable turntable having a playingposition in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of saidmagazine, means for transferring records in succession from saidmagazine to said turntable, a magazine for played records positionedsubstantially directly below said magazine for unplayed records, meansfor lowering said turntable from playing position, and means spacedaround said turntable in the path of movement of a played record thereonto remove said played record from the turn- I table, said meansincluding a fixed member at one side of said turntable and one or morerollers spaced from said fixed member around said turntable, wherebyrotary movement of said record causes translation thereof to saidmagazine for played records.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with aturntable and means for transferring unplayed records in succession tosaid turntable and for removing played records therefrom, a soundreproducing instrumentality adapted to swing about an axis over saidturntable, means pivotally mounting said instrumentality about an axisinclined to the vertical in a direction tending to cause saidinstrumentality to swing away from said turntable, and means formounting said turntable in a plane inclined to the horizontal in adirection to cause said instrumentality to swing toward the center ofsaid turntable when in contact with a record thereon.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with aturntable and means for transferring unplayed records in succession tosaid turntable and for removing played records therefrom, a soundreproducing instrumentality adapted to swing about an axis over saidtumtable, means pivotally mounting said instrumentality about an axisinclined to the vertical in a direction tending to cause saidinstrumentality to swing away from said turntable, means for mountingsaid turntable in a plane inclined to the horizontal in a direction tocause said instrumentality to swing toward the center of said about anaxis over said turntable, means pivotally mounting said instrumentalityabout an axis inclined to the vertical in a direction tending to causesaid instrumentality to swing away from said turntable, means limitingthe outward swinging movement of said instrumentality to a position atthe edge of the record to be played,

means for causing relative vertical movement between said turntable andsaid instrumentality to engage the latter with a record on saidturntable, means for mounting said turntable in a plane inclined to thehorizontal in a direction to cause said instrumentality to swing towardthe center of said turntable, and means operable on completion of arecord to cause relative vertical movement between said turntable andsaid instrumentality to disengage the latter from the played record onsaid turntable.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a recordsupporting turntable mounted for rotation about a predetermined axis ofa sound reproducing instrumentality mounted for swinging movement oversaid turntable about an axis inclined to the axis of said turntable in adirection to cause said instrumentellity to swing away from saidturntable.

1'7. In apparatus of the class described, the

"combination of a record supporting turntable and a sound reproducinginstrumentality mounted for pivotal movement to cooperate with a recordon said turntable, said turntable and sound reproducing instrumentalitybeing mounted with their axes inclined to the vertical in oppositedirections.

18. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a recordsupporting turntable and a sound reproducing instrumentality mounted forpivotal movement to cooperate with a record on said turntable, saidturntable being mounted to rotate in a plane inclined to the horizontalwhereby said instrumentality is caused to move into engagement with thebeginning of a record groove when in engagement with a record on saidturntable, and said sound reproducing instrumentality being mounted withits axis inclined to the vertical in a direction to cause saidinstrumentality to swing away from said turntable. 19. The method oimanipulating talking machine -or phonograph records which comprisessuccessively bringing a sound reproducing instrumentality and one ofsaid records into meeting relationv to reproduce sound, moving therecord supporting means away from sound reproducing position after eachperiod of reproduction as it is being, rotated and simultaneouslyrestraining movement in the same direction of the record from whichsound was last reproduced to cause said record to pass to a recordreceptacle under the influence of energy derived irom its rotary motion.

20. In phonographs, a rotatable table includ ing a center pin, aprojection beneath said table normally out, of engagement with therecord thereon, and means for depressing said table to ing a. centerpin, a projection beneath the table normally out of engagement with therecord thereon, a hopper for discarded records, and

means for depressing the table to lower the record into engagement withsaid projection and to withdraw said center pin from engagement with therecord whereby the rotating record centers around the projection andisrolled off the table and into said hopper.

.22. In phonographs, a'table adapted to hold a record, a pick-up armmounted for movement over the table on anaxis inclined slightly awayfrom said table, a projection at one side of said table, means to lowerthe table below its normal playing position whereby the pick-up arm isfree to move under the influence of gravity from its normal positionafter the table has been thus lowered, and means to cause the table tobe still iurther lowered to bring the record thereon into engagementwith said projection.

23. In phonographs, a table adapted to hold a record and including acenter pin, a pick-up arm mounted for movement over the table on an axisinclined slightly away from said table, a projection at one side of saidtable, means to lower the table below its normal playing positionwhereby the pick-up arm is free to move under the influence of gravityfrom its normal position after the table has been thus lowered, andmeans to cause the table to be still further lowered to bring the recordthereon into engagement with said projection and to withdraw said centerpin from engagement with the record.

24. In phonographs, a rotatable table adapted to hold a'record andincluding a center pin, means to rotate said table, a projection at oneside of said table, a pick-up arm, means to lower said table, meansmounting said pick-up arm whereby said pick-up arm is moved while thetable is thus lowered, and means to further lower the table to bring therecord into engagement withsaid projection to free the record clear ofsaid center pin whereby the rotation of the record causes it to rollfrom the turntable.

25. In combination, means for moving talking machine or phonographrecords in succession along a path, a turntable, means for moving saidturntable to successively transport said records from said path to asound reproducing position and for subsequently lowering the same, meansfor successively reproducing sound from said records while in saidposition, and meanseflective after the respective periods of soundreproduction for imparting a motion of translation to each record underthe influence of energy derived from the rotary motion applied theretoby said turntable, said last named means comprising a member engaged byeach record during descent thereof from said sound reproducing position.

WILLIAM D. LA RUE.

